Before a child outgrows his or her car seat, find out when the seat expires to avoid any issues if you unfortunately get into an accident. The materials and plastic used to manufacture the car seat will be good for up to 10 years, but regulations and standards change over time in relation to safety and design of the car seats. Manufacturers will not sell car seats that are close to its expiration date (or after) since newer car seats will have better safety features that ourperform older models. We encourage all families who have or want a car seat that has expired to contact the manufacturer; and to further discuss the use of the expired car seat and to get all the information you need in order to make an informed decision on your next step. And as a reminder, using an expired car seat voids any warranty because you are no longer following the manufacturers' recommendation.
Some car seat facts in relation to age and size:
Up to 1 Year
- Child must be secured in a rear-facing car seat
1 Year to 9 Year
- Between 20lb to 40lb
Child can be secured in a forward-facing seat using the harness straps
Over 40lb and under 4’9”
- Child can be secured in a booster seat with lap/shoulder belt
Over 4’9”
- Child can be secured in a lap/shoulder seat belt
These are some suggestions, but we do recommend that you proactively consult with ICBC or local authorities to confirm the latest information on car seats because the rules constantly change.
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